Franchise Industry News & Announcements

May 24, 2013 // Franchising.com // MENOMONEE FALLS, Wisconsin – Wisconsin-based Cousins Subs® has hired Jason Westhoff as chief financial officer for the corporation and its 140-store franchise system.
Westhoff was previously chief financial officer at Wisconsin Hospitality Group, a system of 40 Applebee’s and 80 Pizza Hut restaurants.“Jason’s skills and experience in finance and planning are vital to our vision of expansion,” said Christine Specht, president and chief operating officer of Cousins Subs. “We are proud to have him join our team.”
Westhoff was born and raised in Spencer, Iowa, and received a bachelor’s degree from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. He and his wife, Jill, and children, Josie and Jackson, reside in Whitefish Bay...

Mayi de la Vega’s sale among highest ever recorded in Miami Beach
MIAMI - May 24, 2013 - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Mayi de la Vega and Arlene Susy Dunand of ONE Sotheby’s International Realty ? South Florida’s fastest growing luxury real estate firm that dominates the ultra luxury home market ? today announced that they represented baseball icon Alex Rodriguez in the sale of his $30 million estate at 4358 North Bay Road in Miami Beach. The transaction closed on May 24, and was the highest sale price ever on the prestigious North Bay Road and one of the biggest sales on record in Miami Beach.
“The demand for trophy homes worldwide, especially those contemporary in design, has never been greater,” said de la Vega, CEO and Founder/Estate Agent of ONE Sotheby’s International Realty, which has more than 300 agents across South Florida catering to the discerning needs of celebrities, CEOs and the international elite...

CPA Express Service Being Offered to CPAs and Accountants Who Wish to Expand their Business without the Cost
May 24, 2013 // Franchising.com // Katy, TX. – BookKeeping Express, the first U.S. franchise focused solely on bookkeeping services, recently opened its first office in Katy, TX., serving businesses throughout Katy, Richmond and portions of Houston. Today, Director of Business Development, Byron Davenport, announced that area accountants and CPAs will be able to start taking advantage of an innovative ‘CPA Express Program’ so that they can get back to focusing on their core competencies; like analyzing numbers, growing their business, increasing client retention, and keeping clients compliant while offering a bookkeeping service that drives additional revenue...

May 24, 2013 // Franchising.com // In the recently released 2013 edition of Chambers USA, Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP is once again “Top Ranked” in its Ohio Labor & Employment practice, as are seven attorneys firmwide.
Top ranked Taft attorneys in Ohio include:

Kim K. Burke (Natural Resources & Environment)
G. Jack Donson, Jr. (Litigation: Antitrust)
Timothy J. Hurley (Bankruptcy/Restructuring)
Timothy P. Reilly (Labor & Employment)

Top ranked Taft attorneys in Indiana include:

Frank J. Deveau (Environment)
Robert J. Hicks (Corporate/M&A)
James A. Strain (Corporate/M&A)

In total, Taft is recognized as a leading firm in 11 practice areas: Banking & Finance; Bankruptcy/Restructuring; Construction; Corporate/M&A; Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation; Healthcare; Intellectual Property; Labor & Employment (“Top Ranked” in Ohio); Litigation: General Commercial; Natural Resources & Environment; and Real Estate...

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wisconsin (May 22, 2013) – Cousins Subs® has hired John “JJ” Palmert as franchise sales manager. In his new role, Palmert will market new Cousins Subs store franchises to single- and multi-unit franchise operators. He will also recruit area developers, who will in turn recruit multiple franchise operators for new Cousins Subs markets.
“We are aggressively pursuing expansion,” said Joe Furguson, vice president of development for Cousins Subs. “We’re excited to have JJ help us pursue this objective.” Cousins Subs currently operates more than 140 franchised and corporate-owned stores in Wisconsin, Arizona, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, and North Dakota.
Palmert previously operated JJ Palmert Outfitters, a hunting guide service that operates in south Texas...

Company Prepares for Continued Growth in 2013
May 24, 2013 // Franchising.com // BRADENTON, Fla. – Award-winning Breakfast, Brunch and Lunch restaurant First Watch today announced the appointment of Kevin Hall as vice president of franchising, a new position for the company.
Hall is a First Watch veteran, having started with the company in 1992 as an assistant manager and working his way up to regional vice president and then vice president of brand standards in 2004. As vice president of franchising, Hall will be responsible for managing franchise expansion plans and assisting current franchise partners with development and operations.
The company’s aggressive growth strategy calls for more than 300 restaurants by 2017 with roughly one third of those being franchises...

DEERFIELD, Ill. - May 17, 2013 - (BUSINESS WIRE) - BAB, Inc. (OTCBB: BABB), announced that its Board of Directors has declared a quarterly distribution of one cent ($0.01) per share, payable on July 2, 2013, to shareholders of record as of June 11, 2013.
The Company believes that, for tax purposes a portion of the distribution and any future distributions that the Board may declare in 2013 (collectively, the “Distributions”) may be treated as a return of capital to shareholders to the extent of each shareholder’s basis, while the remaining portion of the Distribution may be treated as a dividend.
The portion of the Distributions that will be treated as dividends will not be determined until after December 31, 2013, as that portion is dependent upon the Company’s earnings and profit for tax purposes for its fiscal year ending November 30, 2013, and the Company will not be able to definitively calculate its earnings and profits until after the end of the fiscal year...

2013 Military Friendly Franchises® List Developed by G.I. Jobs and Independently Tested by Ernst & Young
May 24, 2013 // Franchising.com // JACKSONVILLE, FL - Ice House America, the pioneer in automated ice vending technology and their ice vending franchise, IceBorn, announces its ranking in the top 10 percent of all franchises nationwide and named a 2013 Military Friendly Franchise® by Victory Media, publisher of G.I. Jobs. Under the IceBorn brand, franchisees have access to three (3) bulk ice vending machine models – all are freestanding, 24/7, automated retail ice destinations offering bagged or straight-to-cooler ice that is filtered, clean and made on demand.
Ice House America honors military veterans by offering service members a discount through the International Franchise Association’s VetFran program...

May 24, 2013 // Franchising.com // MENOMONEE FALLS, Wisconsin – Wisconsin-based Cousins Subs® has promoted Justin McCoy to vice president of marketing for its 140-store franchise system.
He joined Cousins Subs in 2006 as an entry-level marketing specialist, and held several marketing positions before being named vice president. Previously he worked in public relations and media relations for the Milwaukee Bucks, as well as in finance.
“Justin’s marketing talents have been an essential part of our success,” said Christine Specht, president and chief operating officer of Cousins Subs. “I am proud to recognize his ability with this promotion.”
McCoy was born and raised in Shiocton, Wisconsin in north central Wisconsin...

Company's goal is to raise $50,000 for the USO; Papa John's Founder, John Schnatter, to host a pizza party celebration for 10,000 troops and their families at Charlotte Motor Speedway
LOUISVILLE, Ky.- May 24, 2013 - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Pizza lovers throughout the country can join Papa John's in thanking the brave men and women of the US armed forces for their service through a special USO Meal Deal. Beginning today, customers can go to www.papajohns.com and use the promo code "USOMealDeal" to order two large, two-topping pizzas for $22, with $1 from every order going back to the USO. The offer is valid through Thursday, May 30.
"This is a great way for all of America to show its appreciation for the service of the brave men and women of the US military," said John Schnatter, Papa John's founder, chairman and CEO...

The Carter's bring their son into the business making it a 3rd generation business. Carter's My Plumber prepares the next generation to protect the health of the nation.
Indianapolis, Indiana (PRWEB) May 24, 2013 - Carter’s My Plumber is a local, family-owned, 3rd generation plumbing business located in Greenwood, Indiana, providing plumbing service to the Indianapolis, Greenwood, Whiteland, Franklin, Bargersville, Trafalgar, Mooresville, Wannamaker, Beech Grove and Southport areas. Carter’s My Plumber has a special menu of services designed to meet the needs of every homeowner to provide a complete solution to their home’s plumbing system. With over 30 years of plumbing experience, their trained plumbers meet the plumbing need of every residential and light commercial need...

Net Sales Up 7 Percent; Comparable Sales Up 2 Percent
SAN FRANCISCO - May 24, 2013 - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Gap Inc. (NYSE:GPS) today reported that net sales for the first quarter, which ended May 4, 2013, increased 7 percent to $3.73 billion compared with $3.49 billion for the first quarter last year. Due to the 53rd week in fiscal year 2012, comparable sales for the first quarter of fiscal year 2013 are compared with the 13-week period ended May 5, 2012. On this basis, the company’s first quarter comparable sales increased 2 percent compared with a 4 percent increase in the first quarter last year.
“We are pleased with our strong start to the year, especially first quarter sales,” said Glenn Murphy, chairman and chief executive officer of Gap Inc...

Premium retailer makes meal planning for summer occasions convenient and hassle-free.
Atlanta, GA; Cincinnati, OH (PRWEB) May 24, 2013 - Party planners have HoneyBaked on their sides this summer. “What was I thinking?” doesn’t have to cross the minds of summertime hosts with more than 400 HoneyBaked locations offering complete meals ready to serve and enjoy. With Memorial Day quickly approaching and graduations already upon us, there is still time for celebrations that are as easy as pickup, heat up and eat up.
“HoneyBaked is known so well for our premium spiral-sliced hams that customers are sometimes surprised at how many other fully prepared products we offer,” says Craig Kurz, CEO for HoneyBaked...

Company’s Military Ties Include Veteran Franchise Owners and Partnerships with Organizations that Benefit Military Personnel and their Families
Plainfield, Ill. (PRWEB) May 24, 2013 - Memorial Day is a very special occasion for Spring-Green Lawn Care, as the company’s military roots run deep. Veterans who hold corporate leadership positions and those who own franchises have made a significant contribution to the lawn care company’s success. In fact, Spring-Green’s chairman Tom Hofer is a Navy veteran himself.
Hofer is proud of his military background, and strives to help his fellow veterans however he can. Hofer was one of the main reasons why Spring-Green got involved with VetFran, a subsidy program offered through the International Franchise Association that provides support to veterans looking to buy a franchise...

Sub Zero Ice Cream & Yogurt is opening its first store in Indianapolis, Indiana on June 1, 2013.
(PRWEB) May 24, 2013 - On June 1, 2013, Sub Zero Ice Cream & Yogurt hosts its grand opening in Indianapolis, Indiana. As the first store to enter Indiana, storeowners Jason and Melissa Barth are excited to bring flash-frozen desserts to the Hoosier state.
The Sub Zero Indiana location will be at 427 Massachusetts Avenue in Indianapolis, just 15 minutes from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Though the store is technically open for business now, the Indiana store is offering one free kids ice cream with each adult ice cream purchased for the grand opening.
As first-time franchise owners, the Barths anticipate the opening of their store and are dedicated to providing quality service for every customer...

Battery Giant is excited to announce the opening of our 3rd store in the Chicago area, with our new retail battery store franchise location in Orland Park.
(PRWEB) May 23, 2013 - Battery Giant is excited to announce the opening of our 3rd store in the Chicago area, with our new retail battery store franchise location in Orland Park.
This franchise location is owned and operated by a father and son team, Brian Nolen and Brian Nolen II. “After over 20 years of working in sales and customer services for a major corporation, I felt that it was time to branch out on my own,” stated Brian Nolen I. “I looked for an industry that was continuously growing. I felt that Battery Giant was a company that provided a great opportunity to use my skills and experience to provide excellent products and services...

RICHMOND, Va. - May 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ - The long weekend ahead kicks off the unofficial start to summer with outdoor parties, barbeques, parades and celebrations under the stars. However, a perfect storm of weather conditions over the past months have made conditions ripe for what is being predicted as a powerful crop of mosquito and tick populations to wreak havoc on outdoor plans.
Reported cases of Lyme disease continue to rise with more than 280,000 Americans being diagnosed since 2002, with an additional 30,000 diagnoses just last year. Lyme disease is the most commonly reported vector-borne illness in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). An illness that can have lifelong debilitating effects such as arthritis, fatigue and even neurological deficits, Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected blacklegged or deer ticks...

Operator Celebrates Grand Opening with Free Subs
May 17, 2013 - Cary, NC - Jersey Mike’s Subs, known for its fresh sliced/fresh grilled East Coast-style subs, opened its fifth Cary location on May 15. Restaurant operator Zach Carroll held a grand opening and free sub fundraiser from Wednesday, May 15 to Sunday, May 19 to support West Cary Middle School Parent-Teacher-Student Association.
The new restaurant, located at 2055 Renaissance Park Place, circulated 7,500 coupons throughout the community offering a free regular sub with a generous donation to West Cary Middle School Parent-Teacher-Student Association.
Started at the Jersey Shore in 1956, Jersey Mike's continued its steady growth in 2012 opening 92 new restaurants throughout the country, a 33 percent increase in new store growth over 2011...

Chicago, IL, May 24, 2013 - (PR.com) - A special Educational Presentation on the science of ballooning will be presented to Danielle-Joy Peterson Elementary School in Naperville on May 28 by the RE/MAX Hot Air Balloon Team. Ninety 5th grade students at the school, located at 4008 Chinaberry Lane, Naperville, Ill., will learn about various aspects of ballooning, including its history and the scientific principles involved. They will also see a demonstration on how the balloon functions. The interactive educational program was developed for K-12 students and is sponsored by the RE/MAX real estate network in northern Illinois.
The program will begin at 12:30 p.m. in the school gymnasium, giving all students a chance to participate. The 75-foot-tall balloon envelope will be inflated with cold air, permitting students to walk inside it...

GEORGETOWN, Texas - May 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ - Sport Clips Haircuts, the nation's leading men's and boys' hair care provider, is stepping up its already strong commitment to the military this year. From announcing its new sponsorship of the Wounded Warriors Family Support's (WWFS) High Five Tour, to planning a new scholarship program with the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), to hiring a new Veterans Affairs Officer, the franchise continues in its mission to provide support for those who serve.
Throughout the year:

Sport Clips provides free calls home to deployed and hospitalized U.S. service members and their loved ones through the VFW's Operation Uplink™ program. The day before Memorial Day, more than 14,000 free phone calls home by U...